Desi’s legacy to live on through foundation for local families
Thursday at 5:30 on CBS Local 2 Laura and Terry Cechin, Desi’s parents– explain the Desi doll they hope to produce and how they hope to help others in Desi’s memory and the #DesiStrong Foundation.
The valley family who lost their 6-year old daughter to neuroblastoma just over one month ago, has taken the first steps to creating a non-profit in her name.
Desi Cechin’s father told CBS Local 2 and KESQ the “Desi Strong Foundation” corporation was officially created Tuesday.
Thousands of people in the valley supported the Cechins as Desi battled agressive cancer for two years.
Now through the foundation, the community will have the chance to support other local families.
“That’s the kind of thing we want to do,” says Terry Cechin. “Our mission statement is going to be specific about cancer, especially local families who have cancer, but we want to help any family who’s suffering because of the loss or the illness of a child.”
The effort starts Thursday. The first 50 people to show up to DC Promotions in Indio (80975 Indio Blvd, Ste B12) between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. will receive a free #DesiStrong Stagecoach t-shirt.
“The shirt giveaway is just fun, and keeping Desi’s name fresh,” says Cechin. “And keeping everyone knowing that we’re not going away. We’re going to be around, and we’re grateful for what everyone has done for us.”
Cechin says the Desi Strong Foundation does not have 501c3 status yet, but founding the corporation was the first step toward that process.
“Continuing her legacy means everything to us,” says Terry Cechin. “And we’re so very lucky that she captivated so many people and we have this momentum to build off of, and that she’s such a bright spirit.”
For information about Thursday’s t-shirt giveaway, call(760) 574-1828.
#TeamDesi raised over $100,000 to help the Cechin family pay for Desi’s treatments at Sloan Kettering Memorial Cancer Center and Loma Linda University.
In a statement to CBS Local 2 and KESQ, Terry Cechin explained, “We want to help lighten the load of families who are going through the hardships and obstacles that Desi and our family went through.
We want to provide children and their families with items that made our extended stays in the hospital more manageable, and our daughter’s treatments more comfortable. We want to assist with providing money for food, gas, and other expenses. We want the siblings of the patients to know that they have not been forgotten.
Through our own experiences, we saw our daughter benefit from having a doll as a therapeutic tool. We are very interested in designing and producing a “Desi Doll.” While Desi was fighting cancer she would treat her dolls like her patients, they too had cancer. She would give them IV’s, ports and check their vitals; caring for them as if she was their doctor.
The Desi doll will emulate everything that Desi was and continues to be. The doll will reflect children that are fighting cancer by being bald and have the ability to be cared for. It is our mission to have the foundation provide dolls to as many children fighting cancer as we can reach.
Our most important goal is to raise funds to find a cure for pediatric cancer in Desi’s name. Please help us in this fight!”
